Set-reset rotary switch



Nov. 8, 1966 H. F. HALL 3,284,585

SET-RESET ROTARY SWITCH Filed Oct. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 cIII] :1q F I. Z

INVENTOR. Howard F /-/0// His Af/arney Nov. 8, 1966 H. F. HALL FiledOct. 22, 1965 SET-RESET ROTARY SWITCH 2 SheetsSheet i? ill! INVENTOR.

Howard E Hall fi/Z' His Affomey United States Patent 3,284,585 SET-RESETROTARY SWITCH Howard F. Hall, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to GeneralMotors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct.22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,993 9 Claims. (Cl. 200-11) This invention relatesto electric switches and more particularly to a rotary switch having arotational and axial movement capability.

This invention includes certain structural features already described incopending application Serial No. 376,- 147, now Patent No. 3,244,823,assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. These featuresare, most notably, the radial and axial locators hereinafter described.It is desirable in the testing of a great number of related electricaldevices to have a single switch that is easily adapted for simultaneousand sequential testing of a plurality of electric circuits. A singleswitch having the above described capability not only is easilyadaptable for testing of a great number of circuits in a given sequencebut is also adaptable for change-over from a testing of one set ofcircuits by plug-type connectors accessible to the exterior of theswitch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electricswitch having an actuator which is rotatable and axially movable to aplurality of operative positions wherein desired circuits can beselectively simultaneously or sequentially checked.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedelectric switch which is very compact in size and which can bedisconnected from a given sequence of circuit checks and reconnected toa different sequence very easily.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved electric switch in which the actuator means engages noconductive portions of the switch, thereby eifectively insulating theswitch operative area from the exterior portion of the switch housing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedelectric switch comprising a plurality of programmable decks so situatedrelative to bridging elements that a plurality of circuit checks in aset sequence can be carried out with certain circuits previously engagedremaining engaged during subsequent portions of the circuit checks.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aswitch capable of carrying out the aforementioned objects in which asliding contact is had between a fixed and movable contact during everyswitching function, thereby minimizing oxidation buildup on theconductive surfaces.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention areclearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the subject device.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along line 22 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the subject deviceshown illustrated in a typically operative environment.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a switch housing encloses the operative portionsof the subject switch and is mounted to a panel 12 so as to be suspendedtherefrom. Actuator 14 is carried by shaft 16 which is slidable inhousing 10. Actuator 14 is also adapted for rotation with shaft 16during certain operative movements of the subject switch ice and it isunderstood that the apparatus herein referred to generally as firstlocating means 18 and second locating means 20 is more completelydescribed in copending application Serial No. 376,147.

Decks 22 are composed of any well-known insulated material and form apartition in housing 10. Decks 22 are in contiguous relationship to oneanother and, when operatively positioned, carry plug terminals 24accessible to the exterior housing 10 and conductively engage fixedcontact means 26 through leads 28. The relationship of terminals 24 tofixed contact means 26 is better seen in FIGURE 2. Referring to FIGURE1, a conductive path is established from terminals 24 through lead 28 tospring 30 which serves to bias conductive ball 32 toward movable contactmeans 34. Movable contact means 34 generally comprises a plug 36composed of any well-known insulating material. Plug 36 has a conductivesurface portion 38 arranged to be slidable in and out of bridgingrelationship to adjacent conductive balls 32. Plugs 36 are slidable inapertures 4% formed in decks 22.

Plates 42 and 44 are carried by shaft 16 so as to be rotatable therewithand are composed of any well-known insulating material. Extensions 46extend above the surface of plates 42 in the direction of decks 22 alongthe longitudinal axis of shaft 16. Extensions 46 are also disposed inradial alingment with the sliding plane of plugs 36 in apertures 40.

In operation, external circuits which are to be energized are attachedto adjacent terminals 24, such as seen in FIGURE 1. In this manner,conductive surface 38 of movable contact means 34 is capable of bridginga conductive path between the terminals so connected. EX- tensions 46from plates 42 and 44 are so positioned that only certain movableconductive means 34 are engaged when axial movement is induced in shaft16. Therefore, it is possible to move movable contact means 34 intobridging relationship with terminals 24 in a certain preselectedpattern. Once a certain pattern has been established, a releasing of theaxial pressure in shaft 16 results in springs 48 driving shaft 16 to acentered position which results in center groove 50 in shaft 16 beingengaged by axial locating means 18. Therefore, the movable conductivemeans 34 energized during an axial movement of shaft 16 toward theright, as viewed in FIGURE 1 can result in an establishing of a patternof conducting circuits with a future selection of another pattern ofconducting circuits made while the ones previously energized remainenergized. Indicia, not shown, on the face of panel 12 marked by the endof actuator 14 can maintain a visual record of which pattern of circuitshas been energized and which circuits remain to be selected. Aspreviously indicated, the centering means 18 and the locating means 20are more clearly described in copending application Serial No. 376,147,resulting in accurate rotary and axial positioning of shaft 16 to allowthe aforementioned selection of conductive circuit patterns.

Movement of shaft 16 to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1, results inplates 44 and extensions 46 carried thereby moving into movable contactmeans 34 that were positioned in a conductive manner with respect toselected terminals 24 being pushed in aperture 40 to a position whereinconductive surface 38 no longer bridges adjacent terminals 24.Consequently, circuit patterns previously established may be selectivelybroken during other phases of operation of the subject switch. It shouldbe noted that plug 36 and conductive surface 38 are frictionally held inaperture 40 by a force on the exterior thereof provided by spring 30 andconductive balls 32. Therefore, any position assumed by the movablecontact means 34 is maintained absent an external force applied byselected extensions 46.

Another embodiment of the subject device is illustrated in FIGURE 3 andthe same reference numerals apply for similar parts except that thereference numerals are prefixed by numeral 2. For example, panel 12 inthe embodiment of FIGURE 1 is referred to as panel 212 in the embodimentof FIGURE 3.

The embodiment of FIGURE 3 contains four decks 222 having threeterminals 224 extending to the exterior of the switch housing 210. Plugs236 are slightly more elongated than the plugs 36 of FIGURE 1 toaccommodate the added width of the contiguous panels or decks 222.Conductive surface 238 formed on plugs 236 are slightly smaller inlength, thereby enabling a positioning of a conductive surface 238 tothe extreme positioned conductive balls 232 without conductivelyengaging either one while being maintained in a powered conditionthrough lead 252 and battery 254. Therefore, a multiple pole, doublethrow switch capability is had by the subject switch. It is understoodthat the central terminal 224a in the embodiment of FIGURE 3 is alwayspowered from battery 254 and adjacent terminals 224 positioned on eitherside of the middle terminal can be alternately energized by axialmovement of plug 236. Therefore, operative device 256 or 258 can bealternately energized but cannot be simultaneously energized.

The operation of the embodiment of FIGURE 3 is exactly the same as theembodiment of FIGURE 1 except that an extra switching capability is hadby reversely moving a plug 236 after having been moved in a firstdirection. It is also possible to move plug 236 only to a centeredposition, resulting in the breaking of circuit patterns previouslyestablished. As in the embodiment of FIG- URE l, shaft 216 can beaxially moved so that certain selected plugs 236 are conductivelypositioned with respect to selected terminals 224 and this conductiverelationship left in an energized condition while the switch is moved toa centered position, thereafter enabling the selection of anotherpattern of circuits to be energized.

A typical cycle of operation would involve a switch operators desire toselect a certain pattern of operative devices, such as device 258. Itshould be understood that the radial positioning of the extensions 246can be altered 'in a given installation to bring about any number ofsimultaneous circuit energizations. In the description given, it will beassumed that onlytwo such extensions are being utilized allowing thesimultaneous energization of two operative devices 258 through a commonbattery 254. Therefore, axial movement of shaft 216 carries plates 242and 244 along with extensions 246 linearly aligned with selected plugs236. Plugs 236 so selected and conductive surface 238 carried thereonare moved in apertures 240 until a bridging relationship is establishedbetween two of the center powered terminals 224a and a selected adjacentend terminal 224. A path for current flow is then provided from battery254 through the terminal 224a, spring 230, conductive ball 232,conductive surface 238 and back through the ball spring and terminalconductively associated with operative device 258.

Axial movement of shaft 216 back to a centered position results in theplugs 236 previously positioned in a conductive relationship stillestablished allowing actuator 214 to be rotated to another positionwherein other operative devices 258 radially positioned in decks 222 canbe selectively energized.

Axial movement of shaft 216 in an opposite direction from a centeredlocation results in movement of any selected plugs 236 in an oppositedirection to that previously described and causes conductive surface 238to continue conductive engagement with the center power terminal 224a bybreaking engagement with the terminal 224 associated with the operativedevice 258 establishing a new bridging relationship between the centerpower terminal 224a and an oppositely positioned terminal 224 associatedwith an operative device 256. The same selection potential by rotationalmovement of actuator 214 is present allowing sequential energization ofselected groups of operative devices.

The utility of the subject invention is apparent in an environmentwherein a plurality of circuits are simultaneously energized with otherpluralities of circuits being sequentially energized. This is a commonrequirement in a testing of electrical components, such as electronicgear requiring more than one circuit to be energized for test ingpurposes before certain other circuits are energized to establish aselected test sequence. The subject switch offers this desiredcapability in an economical manner and, in addition, allows a testsequence previously selected to be later changed by merely changing theelectrical connections to terminals positioned at the exterior of theswitch housing. The subject device also allows the use of the sameelectrical switch in a variety of environments because of theprogrammable nature of the externally disposed terminals allowingfrequent circuit changes without disturbing certain circuit patternsalready established and without moving the switch from its mountedposition. The subject switch also accommodates its use in non-controlledenvironments by use of the sliding of the conductive surface 238 acrossselected fixed contacts. This results in a wiping action facilitatingthe removal of oxide build-up common to non-controlled environments.

The versatility of the subject switch is further increased by theextensions 246 which can be of any number corresponding to the number ofcircuits it is desirable to simultaneously energize. In a giveninstallation, anywhere from one to sixteen circuits can besimultaneously energized in direction of axial movement, it beingunderstood that the limitation sixteen is given by way of example ofFIGURE 2, it being understood that any number of fixed contacts could beprovided allowing a multiple switching capability in excess of sixteen.

While the embodiments of the present invention, as herein disclosed,constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An electric switch comprising: a switch housing; actuator means beingrotatable and axially slidable in said switch housing into a pluralityof operative positions; a plurality of relatively fixed contact meanscarried by said switch housing in circular fashion with respect to saidactuator means; and movable contact means, each being slidable in saidfixed contact means in response to axial movement of said actuator meansto selectively energize several of a plurality of electrical circuits.

2. An electric switch according to claim 1 wherein said actuator meansincludes first means for establishing a rotary location and second meansfor establishing an axial location, said actuator means being normallybiased to acentered axial position.

3. An electric switch according to claim 1 wherein said relatively fixedcontact means includes spring biased ball elements constantly urgedtowards said movable contact means.

4. An electric switch comprising: a switch housing; actuator meanspivotally supported by said switch housing and axially slidable thereinto a plurality of axial positions on either side of a centered position;locating means carried by said actuator means and said switch body forradially positioning said actuator means in a selected rotationalposition; a plurality of fixed contact means including linearly movablecontacts carried by said switch body in a circular manner relative tosaid actuator means; and movable contact means, each slidable in saidfixed contact means including conductive portions slidably engageablewith the linearly movable contacts of said fixed contact means inresponse to axialmovement of said actuator means.

5. An electric switch according to claim 4 wherein said fixed contactmeans are spring loaded contacts radially positioned in a substantiallyflat housing partition.

6. An electric switch according to claim 4 wherein 5 said movablecontact means are slidable along the longitudinal axis of said actuatormeans and include cylindrical shaped non-conductive members havingconductive portions thereon arranged to selectively bridge juxtaposedfixed contact means in response to actuator means movement.

7. An electric switch comprising: a switch housing; actuator meansincluding axial and radial positioning means, said actuator meansrotata'bly carried by said housing and axially movable therein; biasingmeans carried by said actuator means and acting between portions of saidswitch housing and opposed surfaces of said actuator means to centersaid actuator means after axial movement thereof; a plurality of fixedcontact means carried by a portion of said switch housing and radiallypositioned around the longitudinal axis of said actuator means; andconductive elements, each slidably positioned in said fixed contactmeans and arranged to selectively conductively engage said fixed contactmeans bridging a plurality of said fixed contact means corresponding toa pattern established by the radial positioning of said actuator meansprior to axial movement thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,047,683 7/1962Shlesinger 2004 X 3,121,143 2/1964 Landry et al 20011 3,150,240 9/1964Voss 2008 3,193,630 7/1965 Shlesinger 2008 X ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, PrimaryExaminer.

I R. SCOTT, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRIC SWITCH COMPRISING: A SWITCH HOUSING; ACTUATOR MEANS BEINGROTATABLE AND AXIALLY SLIDABLE IN SAID SWITCH HOUSING INTO A PLURALITYOF OPERATIVE POSITIONS; A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY FIXED CONTACT MEANSCARRIED BY SAID SWITCH HOUSING IN CIRCULAR FASHION WITH RESPECT TO SAIDACTUATOR MEANS; AND MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS, EACH BEING SLIDABLE IN SAIDFIXED MEANS IN RESPONSE TO AXIAL